NAD VISO HP50

NAD has jumped into the headphone arena with their VISO HP50 ($279), an extremely lightweight and comfortable, noise-isolating, over-the-ear design. The detachable cable plugs into either the right or left earcup and has smart phone and microphone controls. NAD’s “RoomFeel” technology is said to improve stereo sound.

Listening to Ned Collette + Wirewalker’s “Il Futuro Fantastico,” the lead track from their excellent 2, I heard an extremely clean, clear, and detailed sound with a wonderful sense of space, but while listening to Kendrick Lamar’s “Money Trees,” from his outstanding good kid, m.A.A.d. city, I wished for more bass. Nevertheless, at $279, the NAD VISO HP50 seems attractively priced.